My Eight Things list...

Here's a fun little ditty going around some blogs these days! My sweet friend and blogging buddy, Laurie, tagged me, so here goes! This is a fun way to learn more about people! I hope the one's I tag will give it a shot!

8 Things I'm looking forward to:

1. Our Anniversary celebration trip to Hawaii that begins the end of next week!

2. Summer Camp for the boys!

3. A visit from my bf Lar and her kids to swim this summer!

4. Getting new furniture for the family room and office

5. Visiting my brothers new house in AZ

6. Going to the lake with the family (hopefully!)

7. Being a Great Aunt! !!

8. Watching Abby sing in Black Magic next year!!

8 things I did yesterday:

1. Serve pizza at Zach's end of school party

2.Took the boys out of school early after the parties.

3. Got some sun!

4. Watched the boys swim!

5. Took a nap :)

6. Took the evening off from cooking and ate out! Yum!

7. Watched it pour down rain! Loved it!!

8. Watched some TV

(boring, I know!!)

8 Things I wish I could do:

1. Be more obedient to Christ!

2. Get rid of RA

3. Be more organized!

4. Have more energy!

5. Buy new furniture

6. Get a daily maid

7. Live closer to my mom and brother

8. Find a cure for Asthma!

8 shows I watch:

1. 18 Kids and Counting

2. Wednesday's with Beth (Life Today)

3. Mystery Diagnosis

4. River Monsters

5. Oprah

6. Survivor

7. Dr. G Medical Examiner

8. Star Trek (with Dan occasionally and I stress occasionally)

8 people I tag:

1. Aunt Loyce

2. Uncle Glenn

3. Michael

4. Lori

5. Julie

6. Megan

7. Jeremy

8. Kasey

8. Sherri

Fun things!

A Memorial Day game of Phase 10 with Grandmommy and Granddaddy!

Dan won this game!

This one's for you Grammy! (Zach wouldn't take one~sorry!)

A friendly game of basketball with the boys!

We have ONE day of school left. I think we can make it.

Happy Memorial Day!!

Enjoy your holiday! Luv ya'll!

Show us where you live ~ Dining Rooms

Over at Kelly's Korner (another blog I Y) ~ she's hosting a "Show Us Where You Live" tour of homes ~ over the Internet!! It's fun to see how people live and how they decorate! If you have time, check out her blog and see how she lives!

Today is "show us your Dining Room" and well, since this is the ONLY finished room in our home, I thought I'd show you!

Welcome to our dining room...


We took the advice of a trusted designer and got leopard carpet for our dining room. And we love it!! The chandelier was an anniversary gift from my brother! Thanks brother! Y When we hooked it up we couldn't believe the light it gave us! (the old one was so dim!!!) The mirror on the back wall was a gift from my mom! Thanks Mom! Y We bought it black, but against that dark wall, it didn't show up, so I spray painted it this lighter color!

It was also suggested to have a full wall of curtains. I found the little designer rings at JC Penny and thought they added to the wall. Love them!

This is looking toward the front door and entry way.

And this is looking toward the kitchen.

So far, we have not had any dinner parties, but look forward to having some in the future. We have eaten in there ~ usually on Sunday nights after a busy weekend.

Thanks for stopping by and hope you enjoyed my tour!!

15 years

Today, fifteen years ago, we were getting ready to walk down the isle! (shudder!) It really hasn't felt like 15 years, until I stop and think at all we've been through!

God is and has been faithful to us in our marriage. I'm thankful for parents and family that pray for us too.

Here's the words to a song that totally describes my feelings for Dan.

"Give me more lovin' than I ever had
Make it all better when I'm feeling sad
Tell me that I'm special even when I know I'm not...

Make me feel good when I hurt so bad
Barely gettin' mad, I'm so glad I found you!
I love being around you!
You make it easy, easy as 1,2,1,2,3,4

There's only one thing to do
Three words for you ~ I love you

Give me more lovin' from the very start
Piece me back together when I fall apart
Tell me things you never even tell your closest friends...

Best thing I've had, I love being around you...
you make it easy, easy as 1,2,1,2,3,4

I love you!
I love you!
I loooooove you!!!YYY

Welcoming summer!

Blackened Chicken Pizza - Paula Deen

The other morning, Big Mama (a fav. blog I love to read), shared a new recipe with us that she tried for dinner ~ Blackened Chicken Pizza! Being that I am ALWAYS looking for yummy recipes and the fact that this looked delicious!! I made it tonight!

It has fresh basil and spinach in it along with crispy bacon and chicken cooked with a blackened seasoning. It also calls for white wine, but I substituted apple juice for that. Big Mama said we could find the blackened seasoning in the spice area, but after going to TWO stores with no luck, I was able to find the spice recipe online! Thank you Internet!!!

Blackened Chicken Pizza (Paula Deen)
3 teaspoons blackening seasoning, divided (found on the spices aisle)
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast, pounded to 1/4 in. thickness
4 tbs. butter, divided
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 shallot, minced
2 tbs. all purpose flour
1/4 cup white wine
3/4 cup milk
2 tbs. chopped fresh basil
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup fresh spinach leaves
8 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
Pizza crust

Here it is ready for the oven!!



Here I am getting ready to put it in the oven... (heh heh)

And here it is in all its delicious glory! ha ha!

Outside - Before and Middle ???

Here is a picture of our lovely house when we bought it. It is almost totally hidden by bad hedges and overgrown trees and shrubs. We were anxious to get our hands on it...

Needless to say, Dan has been working in the yard; cutting down over grown tree limbs and shrubs, digging up roots! I've been amazed at his hard work!!! And we are proud of the results...

We even put in a little sidewalk next to the front window that leads to the driveway! It is such a more convenient way to get around outside, if I do say so myself. heehee!

We are not done yet, but wanted to show you what we have been up to. We still hope to put in bright, colorful flowers where the dirt is! Stay tuned!!!!

What a way to start school AND end school...

Sadly, it happened again...Zach's arm is broken. Last Wednesday, while running with the class in P.E. at school, someone got too close to Zach and tripped him. Down he went right on his arm that had just been broken eight months ago. Luckily, I was at the school so I was able to take him home, but we weren't able to get into the Dr. for a whole WEEK! Poor guy has been in a lot of pain.

The Dr. confirmed a minor break, so all he will have to wear is the splint - but he will have to wear it for FOUR weeks. :( And yesterday was the first day of finally swimming in our pool this summer. And the weather is forecasting into the hundreds these next couple of days.

Some people have all the luck, (or not).

A dressed up weekend!!

My super cute niece Abby had her Dance (Panther Paws) banquet this weekend and on Sat. she went to Prom. (she's a junior) Her sis, my other super cute niece, LaLa, did her hair! It looks beautiful! They had a blast and I hear the decorating for it was extra cute! All these talented parents!!

Wanted to share a few pics with ya!

Bad Blogger

Sheesh! I've become the worlds worst blogger!! Everywhere I go, I forget my camera and I'm missing precious 'Kodak moments' with my peeps! WAAAAAAAA!!!!!

For example...this weekend Dan was out of town at Football Referee clinics, so the boys and I took the opportunity to head to NM to visit with mom! Y We had the best time. We had some relaxin', games, heart to heart talks, good food, movies, laughs, visit to the ZOO!, and of course, no trip would be complete without....shopping! Y

Drew has been wanting to visit a zoo for some time now, so we were happy that Alb. had a good one. The boys have been there several times, but seems like you can't visit a zoo too many times. The boys got to feed beautiful birds sweet nectar, ride a train and Drew ALMOST rode a camel. (But I didn't really want him to with out a camera for a picture of it!!!) Most of the animals were napping, like the King of the Jungle - out cold!!! But it was still fun! One of the jaguars was asleep on his little hammock! How cute is that? The Polar Bears synchronized danced for us until one finally dove in for a swim. He swam straight for Drew and as he turned put his paw right where Drew was watching! :)

I am going to try not to think about all the photo opportunities I missed and just focus on what a great weekend it was! I even got to see an old high school friend from 20 years ago!! My twenty year reunion is coming up this summer so I'm feeling a bit nostalgic. It was great to see her and laugh about seeing each other again!!!

Now here we go again to the start of a busy week! Hope you all had a good weekend too!!